Protected: Central Asia Adventure 2027

Arrival, Bishkek

We will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the capital city. (Hotel check-in is available after 2:00 PM.) Overnight at the hotel.

Bishkek, Burana, Iskra village, Cholpon Ata (ca. 270 km, 4h)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Our journey begins with a visit of the Burana Tower, an ancient minaret in the Chuy Valley in the north part of Kyrgyzstan. The tower with funerary monuments, earthworks, remains of the castle and three mausoleums. That’s all what last out of the ancient Balasagyn town that was founded by Karakhanids at the end of the ninth century.

Lunch in the Iskra village with Dungan family, the ethnicity of Chinese Muslims who had to flee China. You taste their national cuisine.

Then departure to Issyk Kul, the largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and one of the deepest in the world.

We drive you to the hotel located on the lake shore.

First location at Issyk Kul lake is visit the petroglyph museum. The 42 hectares of the museum are dotted with stones, tombs, balbals and various petroglyphs dated from the 2nd millennium BC until the 4th century AD.

Cholpon Ata, Grigoriev and Semienov gorges, Karakol (ca. 180 km, 3h)

Breakfast at hotel.

Next location is Grigoriev and Semienov gorges. Picnic or lunch in the café on the road.

Grigoriev and Semienov gorges are considered as one of the most famous attractions of the Issyk Kol region. You can go for a walk, enjoy the wild nature around you and spend a nice time in this beautiful place.

After departure to Karakol, the administrative center of the Issyk-Kol region.

Visits in Karakol:
• Russian Orthodox cathedral
• Dungan mosque

Karakol, Jeti Oguz, Barskoon, Skazka, Bokonbaevo (ca. 200 km, 3h)

After breakfast, in the morning we head to Jety Oguz gorge. The name of the gorge is symbolic.

It means “seven bulls” in Kyrgyz because there are seven giant red-brown rocks resembling furious bulls standing together. We have the short hike to the panoramic point where we will have a beautiful view on the canyons to take the beautiful photos under the morning light.

Then we stop in Barskoon gorge where you can do a short hike to the small waterfall Bowl of Manas.

Along the way, we visit Skazka canyons, which translates from Russian as Fairytale. There you can find rocks of surprising shapes and sizes. A real skyscraper or an animal may appear in front of you. You can do short hiking in the canyons.

In Bokonbaevo we meet a local eagle hunter and discover the ancient Kyrgyz tradition of falconry. Witness a hunting demonstration, and gain insight into the deep bond between hunter and eagle that has been passed down through generations.

Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

Bokonbaevo, Kyzyl Tuu, Son Kul (ca. 250 km, 5h)

After breakfast, we head towards Kyzyl Tuu village, famous throughout Kyrgyzstan for its long- standing tradition of yurt-making. Here, you will meet a local artisan family and learn about the craftsmanship behind the construction of the Kyrgyz yurt, one of the most important symbols of nomadic culture.

Then we hit the road and continue our journey. The goal of the day is to reach Son Kul Lake located at 3016 meters above sea level. We should overcome a mountain pass called Kalmak Ashuu at 3400 meters.

Lunch on the way in the guesthouse in Kochkor.

Arrival to the yurt camp at Son Kul Lake. You will have a two-hour horse riding before the dinner and have an opportunity to see the local nomads grazing herds of sheep and horses in the meadows.

Dinner and overnight in the yurt.

Son Kul, Chon-Kemin (ca. 220 km, 5h)

After breakfast, we leave Son Kul and we head to Tar-Suu village located in Chon Kemin valley.

Lunch on the way in Kochkor.

As we arrive to Tar Suu you have time to walk in the village and explore the local lifestyle.

Dinner at the guesthouse. After dinner we will light a fire outside and we pass the pleasant evening talking, singing around the fire.

Chon-Kemin, Almaty (ca. 380 km, 6h)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Kyrgyz-Kazakh border. Border Crossing (Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan).

The goal of the day to reach Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan. Upon arrival, embark on a short city tour to explore highlights including Independence Square, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park, and the impressive WWII memorial.

In the evening we go to Kok Tobe, the highest point in the city. It is famous for its panoramic view of the city from all directions. To reach the Kok Tobe hill, we take a cable car ride which starts near Hotel Kazakhstan and goes over some of the oldest parts of Almaty and the magnificent fruit-growing gardens.

Almaty, Charyn Canyons, Almaty (ca. 430 km, 7h)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Charyn Canyons.

The Charyn Gorge is located in the national park. It is considered the little brother of the Grand Canyon in the United States. The erosion of the Charyn River has created dramatic and impressive landscapes. When you arrive, you will admire the magnificent panorama and walk down to the bottom of the gorge to hike about 2 km in the labyrinth of the Valley of the Castles.

Return to Almaty. Overnight at the hotel.

Almaty, Departure

Transfer to the airport. Departure.

Arrival, Tashkent

We will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to the capital city. (Hotel check-in is available after 2:00 PM.) Starting the sightseeing at the capital city.

• Khast Imam Complex Spiritual heart of Tashkent (16-20centuary)
• Independence Square
• Chorsu bazaar one of the busiest bazaars in Tashkent
• Take a ride at metro soviet and modern designed underground

After excursion transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Tashkent, Khujand (ca. 180 km, 4h)

Today we will spend the day in the Khujand city and area, Khujand is second largest city in Tajikistan and not official (North capital).

In different ages Khujand has different names.It was Alexandria Eskhata in times of Alexander the great, During Soviet period it was Leninobad ( city of Lenin) and after 1991 new government return old name of the city.

Visits:
• City center
• Sirdaria river
• Mnuments of the Kings of Khujand
• Museum of Antiquity name of Timurmalik
• Khujand Fortress
• Panjshanbe bazar-Biggest centralmarket
• Mosque and mausoleum of Sheikh Moslekhiddin
• Palace of Culture “Arbob” (10km from Khujand)

Khujand, Istaravshan, Dushanbe (ca. 310 km, 7h)

Leave Khujand in the morning and departure to the Dushanbe city along the Anzob and Shakkhristan passes (tunnels) and along Varzob gorge.

80km after Khujand we will visit ancient city Istaravshan.

• Old Town
• Kok Gumbaz medrese (16) until present days
• Mug teppa fortress (reconstructed fortress, museum and excavation)
• Mug teppa hill (with panorama view of Istaravshan)
• Local central Bazar
• Blacksmith workshops of local craftsmen making daggers and knives

Dushanbe

Today we will spend the day exploring Dushanbe.

Dushanbe (means Monday) is a relatively new city that was formed in 1925 on the site of a small village Dushanbe, place of the large bazaar on Mondays.

During the Soviet period, the city was called Stalinabad (1929-1961) Political, Cultural, Educational and Financial Center of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Visits:
• National museum of Tajikistan
• Flagpole (165m). Palace of nation
• Nawruz palace
• Hissar fortress (30 km from Dushanbe)
• Hissar museum
• Central bazar
• City center, Dusti square
• Ismail Somoni monument

Dushanbe, Penjikent, Samarkand (ca. 295 km, 6h)

In the morning, we leave Dushanbe city and continue our trip to Penjikent city and Jartepo border. Will drive across mountain valleys, ranges and passes.

Along Varzob gorge, Anzob pass (tunnel) and beautiful Zeravshan valley.

We will make photostops in magnificent mountain area.

Continue trip to Penjikent along Zeravshan valley.

Visits:
• Museum of Ancient Penjikent
• Sarazm excavation. (4-2 mil. BC) UNESCO Heritage.
• Museum of Sarazm

Border Crossing (Tajikistan-Uzbekistan). Transfer to the hotel.

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

Starting the sightseeing from heart of old city.

Guri Amir Mausoleum of Timurid Dynasty (most iconic place for locals) was built by order of Amir Temur in 1403- 1405.

Registan square has three madrasahs

• Ulugbek madrasah (1420) At that time biggest in Asia
• Sherdor madrasah (1636) First madrasah built by locals
• Tilla-Kori madrasah (1646)

Lunch time break

• Bibi Khanum Mosque was the biggest at that time (1399)
• Siab Bazaar oldest keep operating bazaar in Samarkand
• Shahi Zinda Complex

Samarkand, Bukhara (train)

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet our team at 08:50am transfer to railway station.

Take a train to Bukhara at 09:53am. Estimated arrival time to Bukhara at 11:42am.

Start excursion to the outskirts of Bukhara, visiting:
• Ismail Samani Mausoleum
• Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum
• Bolo-Khauz Mosque
• Ark Fortress
• Poi Kalon Complex
• Magoki-Attori Mosque
• Labi Hauz Complex

After excursion check-in at the hotel.

Bukhara, Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 09:00, meet our team at the hotel, and set off for Khiva. This journey follows a section of the Great Silk Road, which once connected Khiva and Bukhara, traversing the vast and mysterious Kyzylkum Desert, known as the “Red Sands.” Along the way, you will experience the beauty of the untouched desert landscape, with its endless dunes and scattered vegetation, while learning fascinating stories about the ancient caravans that passed through this route.

Arrive in Khiva around 16:00, where the city’s enchanting atmosphere immediately transports you to a bygone era of trade, culture, and spirituality.

Check-in at the hotel and enjoy some free time to relax or take a leisurely stroll to soak in the city’s ambiance.

Overnight at the hotel, preparing for the adventures ahead.

Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your excursion at 09:00 am.

• Ichan- Kala Fortress
• Kuhna Ark
• Muhammad Rahimkhan Madrasa
• Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasa
• Kalta-Minor Minaret
• Juma Mosque
• Tash-Khovli Palace
• Pakhlavan Makhmud Mausoleum
• Islam-Khoja Minaret

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Khiva, Departure

Transfer to the border Shavat/airport

Shavat Border Checkpoint, Darvaza (ca. 310 km, 5h)

Arrival to the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan border checkpoint Shavat.

Meet our representative on the Turkmen side.

Take an afternoon drive to the Darvaza Gas Crater, one of the most popular international tourist destinations. The region is abundant in natural gas, and the Darvaza Gas Crater has been burning for over 50 years, making it shine like a pearl amid the Karakum desert.

Apart from the Darvaza Gas Crater, you will also have the opportunity to witness water and mud craters. One of this trip’s most captivating and intriguing aspects is the fresh desert air and the chance to experience the nomadic way of life firsthand. At night, while the light of the Gas Crater illuminates the sky, you will camp in the Turkmen national yurt and have a barbecue for dinner.

Darvaza, Ashgabat (ca. 265 km, 5h)

Picnic-style breakfast. After breakfast, drive to Ashgabat.

In the afternoon, you will explore Ashgabat.

In 2013, the Guinness Book of Records named Ashgabat a “white marbled city”. Here you can see the biggest number of structures in the world made out of white marble.

You will see the Wedding Palace, Ferris Wheel, Constitution Monument, Arch of Neutrality, Monument and Park of Independence, Ertogrul Gazi Mosque, Ashgabat Olympic Stadium, and the Earthquake and Victims of WWII Monuments.

Ashgabat, Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Departure.